“I’ve taken a fair amount of teasing amount my name during this conference and I finally got a little tired of it last night when I got on the elevator and a man again teased me about my name—which is Mankiller. He asked me about the origin of it and I said it was a nickname and that I’d earned it." – Wilma Mankiller
When Oklahomans think about their politicians, what often comes to mind are a bunch of old conservative white people who are too busy obsessing over genitals and being a goddam bigot with their Facebook buddies to even acknowledge their campaign promises. But what if I told you that once upon a time there existed an elected official who poured her time and energy not into bullshit bills, but rather into community development and decades of advocacy? What if I told you about a leader who actually followed up on campaign promises to connect her constituents with housing, education, and healthcare? What if I told you about one of the smartest, most badass women to ever call Oklahoma home?
Then I’d be telling you the story of Chief Wilma Mankiller.